Sweet like sugar, Bitter like coffee.

Chapter 5

A few days have passed, and everything was calm before a picture was uploaded onto the internet. Then, that's when everyone started to turn their back on Arlo. Even Holden stopped talking to Arlo.

The photo was photoshopped, John noticed.

It was Arlo, walking into the alleyway, on the day of the crime. John was laughing at Seraphina, who also was staring at Arlo intensely. "God, you are so stupid! How can that be real? It's clearly photoshopped!" He laughed.

"Shut up John. It could be real, and we aren't taking any chances! Everyone hated staying indoors with other, low tiers! Do you know how cranky Elaine was?? Geez!" Seraphina crossed her arms and sighed. "She kept on complaining and nagging."

"Well, it isn't as bad for me." John shrugged.

"Shut up!" Seraphina fumed, "You're a low tier anyways! You need to learn your place."

"Oh shush!" John pouted, "You all don't have me to make me feel bad about myself."

Seraphina leaned her head on John's shoulder, "....You know... I think low tiers are pretty cool. They are able to take so much things thrown at their way, us high tiers, we are supposed to be their leaders... but we still are neglecting them." Seraphina sadly stared up at the sky, "We are supposed to be the ones helping them aren't we?"

John didn't know what to say, "Yes." Was all he could come up with. "Yes."

***

Arlo, he's hurt, in a male bathroom, staring at the floor. He's not crying but he's hurt. It's probably from Cecile, she's the only one who hold a grudge against him. She never really liked him when she was beatened by Remi, infact, she turned her back on everyone else and became a lone wolf.

Arlo couldn't understand why everyone was so influenced by that one picture. Head master Vaughn called Arlo to his office and reassured him that he knew the picture was photoshopped and that he didn't need to worry about being brought to court.

But he didn't make the effort to annouce it to the whole school.

He could hear two girls talking about him as he walked by, he still held his head high.

"Do you think...?" A girl started to say.

"Nah. There's no way."

"But the photo... that's proof."

"It doesn't look very real anyways. We need to trust in our king. What could he gain from killing Zeke?"

"He'd be eliminating him. Then, he couldn't steal the title from him."

"Right. As if our king will scoop that low."

"But you have heard about Zeke right. He said he could over throw the king he was about to do it soon... that's a motive!"

"Yeah but like--"

"And doesn't our king also hate Zeke?"

"Yeah well--"

"That would be the reason why! Oh my god! No, no seriously, listen. Arlo, he killed Zeke so then he wouldn't be able to over throw him! You know how much Arlo cares about his position as king."

"...I still have faith in our king. He wouldn't do such thing."

"Holy-- listen! If he turned out the be the killer, the school's reputation would drop! He need to start taking action!" The girl shook her friend. By now, everyone was staring at them, and so was Arlo.

"Stop it! Your crazy theories are driving me crazy as well!" Her friend groaned, "Now you're just influencing everyone else!" She waved a hand at everyone and froze when she noticed Arlo there.